Pistorius substance was herbal aid for muscles and sex stamina

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Frank Dalleres

THE MYSTERY substance found at the home of Paralympic star and murder suspect Oscar Pistorius that sparked accusations of doping was a herbal muscle recovery aid, his representatives said yesterday.

The substance was named as Testis Compositum, which is also marketed as a “testosterone booster” and a treatment for “symptoms associated with male sexual weakness”, and can be taken in tablet form or injected.

South African police told Pistorius’s bail hearing last week that they found needles in his bedroom along with what they believed was testosterone, but later conceded they could not be sure what the substance was.

Pistorius’s defence lawyer Barry Roux told the Pretoria court that the substance was herbal and not on the list of banned substances drawn up by sport’s World Anti-Doping Authority.

The athlete, who is charged with murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his luxury home in the early hours of Valentine’s Day, says he shot her by accident thinking she was an intruder and was bailed on Friday. He is expected to stand trial in June.

One product labelled as Testis Compositum, which is manufactured by German company Wala and available online, lists its ingredients as including queen bee, silver and an extract from bulls’ testicles.

Another version produced by Heel USA and also available online includes pig testicles, heart, embryo and adrenal gland, as well as cortisone, ginseng and other botanicals and minerals.

Pistorius, 26, became the first double amputee to compete at an Olympics when he reached the 400m semi-finals in London last year.

He is nicknamed Blade Runner for his trademark prosthetic legs, having been born without fibulas and had his legs amputated at the knee aged 11 months.

TESTIS COMPOSITUM

Used by Pistorius to aid muscle recovery, say his representatives, but also marketed as a treatment for symptoms of male sexual weakness